Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Under the repeated rescue efforts, the drowning Rescue Team Member finally regained consciousness and was immediately sent to the hospital.
The rescue team took the group of trapped individuals back to file a report before sending them up the mountain.
Before leaving, the team leader saw that the students were all drenched and shaken, and he couldn't bring himself to scold them harshly; however, one of his team members had nearly lost their life, and he had no outlet for his pent-up frustration. He turned to Luo Yi and reprimanded him sternly:
"You run an inn as the Boss, and you can't just think about collecting money without caring about anything else. You need to remind tourists where the dangers are. This is both a moral obligation and a responsibility! Acting like a hands-off manager will lead to trouble.
Of course, if something happens, no one takes responsibility; it all falls on the Rescue Team! If we fail to save someone, we get blamed; if we succeed, it's expected. Even if someone sacrifices themselves, people just light a candle online and move on with their lives. Our lives aren't worth that much; we don't expect you to hold us in high regard, but at least show some respect! If you're out here having fun, enjoy it properly—don't recklessly throw yourselves into dangerous situations like moths to a flame!"
Luo Yi didn't argue back and nodded in acknowledgment of his mistake.
Lin Jinyan and others felt embarrassed and couldn't face him.
Sulianlin felt wronged for Luo Yi and quietly defended him: "Actually, Boss Luo did remind us—"
Summer Melody gently nudged her and whispered, "He's talking about us; listen carefully."
Understanding, Sulianlin immediately closed her mouth to avoid further scolding.
Tang Shangri-La Duo and Ji Yu felt ashamed. They approached the team leader and bowed deeply in apology. The leader wasn't heartless; unable to withstand the situation, he awkwardly waved them off: "Alright, alright, just go. It's best if we don't meet again under such circumstances."
Upon hearing this, Tang Shangri-La Duo's eyes turned red as they wiped away tears while getting into the vehicle.
In the end, Luo Yi hooked his arm around the leader's shoulder, pulled him aside, whispered a few words, then patted his shoulder as he sent him off.
Luo Yi got back into the car, and everyone was feeling down. Zhou Yao tilted her head against the window, her gaze vacant.
Luo Yi had no expression as he glanced at the people in the car, speaking in a businesslike tone: "Today's events are a lesson for all of you. Remember it well. — But don't burden yourselves too much; let's return to the inn and rest properly."
After saying that, he lost interest in them and turned to get out of the car.
Zhou Yao lifted her eyelids, suddenly getting up and leaning over the back of the front seat, calling out, "Boss Luo, where are you going?"
Luo Yi had just stepped down one level of the stairs when he paused and turned back to look at her. After a moment, he shook the motorcycle keys in his hand.
"I'm going with you," Zhou Yao squeezed out of her seat and ran over to him, looking hopeful. "I want to ride your motorcycle back. Is that okay?"
"Zhou Yao—" Ji Yu called out to her softly, saying, "Stay here; let's all talk for a bit."
"I don't want to," Zhou Yao turned her face away.
She didn't want to sit in this car at all.
"Zhou Yao," Lin Jinyan said, "Today's events were too sudden; we were all caught off guard. Let's treat it as an experience and have a heart-to-heart."
Tang Shangri-La Duo added, "Yeah, let's have a good chat to clear our minds so we can set off together again tomorrow."
"I'm not going," Zhou Yao turned back to look at them and said, "I'm not taking the Luo Ke Line anymore; you all go ahead."
The six people in the car looked shocked.
Luo Yi turned back to look at her, his expression complex.
Tang Shangri-La Duo quickly tried to mediate, "If you feel unwell, we can postpone for a day—"
"Not going the day after tomorrow either," Zhou Yao said calmly as she looked at them. "Our schedules and progress have never aligned. I’ve already completed my work for this trip in advance. I don’t want to accompany you any longer."
She took a breath and continued slowly, "I have no complaints against you all, really. I just don’t want to be part of this team anymore. I don’t want to do things I don’t want to do or go places I don’t want to go just because the majority decides. I also don’t want to be the one who gets compromised. I’ll rest at the inn for a few days and wait for you all to return before heading back to Beijing together."
"Zhou Yao," Summer Melody called out to her, choking back tears, "Don’t blame yourself too much; it was just an accident. Besides, that lifeguard is alive now—"
"Just barely! What if he had died?!" Zhou Yao suddenly interrupted her, her eyes reddening as she quickly turned her head to glance at the sky before looking back at her. "If something happens, you all would comfort me, but what good is comfort?! Just like the captain said, you’ll forget and continue with your lives. Only I will carry the burden of a life that can never be at peace."
At this point, Zhou Yao felt a chill run through her body. The fear of being singled out by misfortune, isolated and abandoned, surged back into her heart; she remembered how panicked and pitiful she had felt then.
When she desperately pressed on the lifeguard's chest, her companions came forward to pull her back and comfort her, but such comfort felt pale and powerless, even hypocritical; what she wanted was for that person to come back to life!
Only Luo Yi refused to give up and continued the rescue.
His persistence felt more real and tangible than all the comforts from her companions.
In the end, she collapsed into his arms and cried softly, saying, "Boss Luo, thank you. If he dies, I'm done—"
And he replied, "I know."
What is a true heart?
That is it.
The atmosphere in the carriage was subtle, and Luo Yi seemed uninterested in their conversation as he got off the vehicle. Zhou Yao hurriedly followed him down:
“Luo Boss, I’m coming with you!”
“Zhou Yao!” Lin Jinyan stood up to chase after them.
Moyang, who had been silent, raised his foot to block her: “Let her go.”
Lin Jinyan coldly replied, “I’m the team leader; we can’t let the team scatter!”
Sulianlin suddenly screamed, “Just let her go!”
A pin drop could be heard inside the car.
Summer Melody was extremely upset and tried to mediate: “What’s wrong with you all? It’s already over; why do you have to act like this? Everyone is equally sad; what’s the difference?!”
Moyang let out a sarcastic laugh, and several pairs of eyes turned to him.
“Do you know what I said when we were in the water, knowing that the rescue team couldn’t reach us and we might die? — The three of us expressed opposition before setting off, yet it was also the three of us who got trapped. Why weren’t you the ones trapped? Why weren’t we on the shore watching you, worrying about you, hoping for your rescue?”
No one spoke.
“Later, when the lifeguard had an accident, Zhou Yao broke down and asked why it wasn’t someone else, why it had to be her who became the killer. Coincidentally, I thought the same way. I was relieved that it wasn’t the one who saved me; otherwise, I would have gone crazy like Zhou Yao. I would rather comfort others than be comforted myself. But shouldn’t you be the ones to truly understand this kind of regret? Now you ask me what the difference is?”
Moyang said lightly:
“The difference is that at that time, it wasn’t you who were trapped or rescued. So you wouldn’t understand — how cruelly unfair fate can suddenly become when you least expect it.”
"Sulianlin" took over the conversation: "So I ask you not to act like good companions anymore, talking about heart-to-heart chats to resolve misunderstandings. If you really want to make amends, then stop comforting me and never bring this matter up again."
...
The autumn sun was bright and blinding, but the temperature on the plateau was quite low, and the sunlight offered no warmth. However, as "Zhou Yao" looked at "Luo Yi's" back and recalled the moment he had desperately saved someone, her previously cold heart gradually warmed up.
In the bustling market of the small town, "Luo Yi" and "Zhou Yao" weaved through the crowd one after another. It was peak tourist season, with buses arriving one after another.
"Luo Yi" walked to the edge of the road, stopped, and turned back to look at "Zhou Yao," who quickly caught up with him.
"Luo Yi" led her across the street. There were no traffic lights at the intersection, and cars were packed tightly together. Halfway across, he grabbed her by one arm and pulled her through the gaps between vehicles.
Once they reached the other side of the road, "Luo Yi" stopped to look at her and said, "You're soaked all over; riding a motorcycle will get you sick from the wind in the mountains."
"Zhou Yao" lowered her head, gripping her damp sleeves in frustration. "I’m not getting on that vehicle anyway. I’d rather walk back."
After a moment of silence, she retorted unhappily, "Why didn’t you say that earlier? Now you realize my clothes are wet? Didn’t you see it before? I’ve been walking with you ever since I got off the vehicle. Now you want to send me back? No way. I already said I’m not going with them anymore. I don’t care; I want to ride your motorcycle."
He surprisingly had the patience to listen to her barrage of accusations.
He looked at her pouting lips and smiled after a long while: "Who said I wanted to send you away?"
"Zhou Yao" stared at him wide-eyed.
He chuckled and said, "I say one thing, and you have to retort with ten. You won’t accept even one less; are you feeling wronged?"
"Zhou Yao" pouted and turned her head away defiantly: "Who told you not to be clear?"
He stared at her profile for half a second, then said, "Let's go. Change your clothes."
"Eh? Where to change?" Zhou Yao hurriedly followed him with quick little steps.
...
At the clothing store on the corner,
Zhou Yao slowly strolled between two rows of racks. The styles in this store were decent, not outdated or tacky, but there was nothing that caught her eye. She hoped Luo Yi would come over to help her pick something out, glancing outside from time to time.
But Luo Yi seemed impatient to watch her shop; he leaned against the store entrance smoking. Zhou Yao rolled her eyes at his back and lost interest in browsing.
Luo Yi smoked while observing Wu's Jade Shop nearby, where Asang was busy inside, but he didn't see Wu Ming. After a while, Asang noticed Luo Yi and paused for a moment before quickly retreating to the back room.
Luo Yi curled one side of his lips.
After finishing a cigarette, Zhou Yao was still wandering around the store, having not picked anything after a long time.
Luo Yi tossed the cigarette butt and crushed it underfoot as he walked in and asked, "Are you picking a partner here? Do you want me to show you the production place and date of each piece? To see if they match your fortune?"
Zhou Yao shot him a glare. "You're the least compatible."
"That's true." He smiled, then frowned slightly and said, "Just grab an outfit and change out of those wet clothes."
"No way." Zhou Yao raised her chin. "I only wear pretty clothes."
Luo Yi clicked his tongue and quickly scanned the rack, pulling out a white sweater. Zhou Yao made a face of disdain and pointed at it. "I don't like the lace on this one."
Luo Yi put it back and raised an eyebrow, "Don't you like wearing lace?"
Zhou Yao immediately retorted, "When did you see me—"
She fell silent, suddenly recalling that piece of lingerie.
"..." Zhou Yao muttered under her breath, "Pervert."
Luo Yi: "Who are you talking about?"
Zhou Yao: "Talking about you!"
Luo Yi searched for her clothes and casually laughed, "The wicked person complains first."
"Who said you're wicked?"
"You."
"I'm wicked? Hah. I—" Zhou Yao laughed in anger, "Do you think I threw my lingerie there to seduce you?"
"I never said that. You did." Luo Yi replied lightly, her fingers fiddling with the hangers.
"You—" Zhou Yao flared her nostrils, still trying to regain the upper hand when Luo Yi held up a red dress in front of her, "What about this one?"
Zhou Yao's eyes lit up: "It's beautiful." She took it and said, "How come I didn't see this earlier?"
"Who knows where your eyes were looking?" Luo Yi said nonchalantly.
Zhou Yao's face turned red in an instant, thinking to herself, did he catch me stealing a glance at him just now?
Luo Yi turned over this matter and found a white trench coat for her.
Zhou Yao hugged the coat and hurriedly ran into the bathroom. After changing her clothes and coming out, she felt completely refreshed, and her body was much drier and warmer.
She ran over to Luo Yi and twirled around: "Does it look good?"
Luo Yi looked at her for a moment and said, "It's okay."
Zhou Yao's smile faded, and she glared at him discontentedly: "What kind of taste do you have?" After saying that, she ran back to pack her wet clothes into a plastic bag and turned back to ask Luo Yi, "What about you? Aren't you going to change clothes?"
"I'm fine; my clothes inside have already dried from my body heat." Luo Yi paid the bill, lifted his chin, and said, "Let's go."
Zhou Yao stood there in disbelief: "How is that possible?"
"That's how guys are." Luo Yi said briefly, glancing back at her. Seeing her disbelief, he reached out his hand toward her, "Here."
Zhou Yao walked over suspiciously and poked a finger into his sleeve to feel around; the t-shirt inside was indeed dry.
When she withdrew her hand, she touched his skin, which was very warm. He didn't pay attention to this small detail and turned to leave the store.
Zhou Yao silently followed behind him, her face turning red again as she thought to herself, this autumn here is so cold; if only I could sleep with him tonight, it would definitely be warm.
Comment 0 Comment Count